Dallas Fire & Rescue: Lighting His Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 5)

by L. J. Garland

  His body responded, a renewed hard-on poking at the towel around his waist. “Don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” For you. Again. Forget the food. He wanted to push her back onto the pillows and take her right there on the couch.

  “Amazing sex will do that to you.”

  “Amazing?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Huh.”

  Her brow furrowed. “What?”

  He twisted the cap off a beer and handed it to her. “Just wondering.”

  “About?” She took a deep gulp.

  He opened a beer for himself, drank half of it then set it on the coffee table. “What time do you have to work tomorrow?”

  “Are you asking me to stay the night?”

  Would one night be enough? Probably not. Reaching over, he pulled her onto his lap, turning her so she straddled his hips. “Yes.”

  “Huh.”

  He tugged the sash on her robe loose. “What?”

  “I don’t work tomorrow.” She rocked her hips forward, grinding her sex against his.

  The front of the bathrobe parted, revealing creamy skin. “That so?” Leaning forward, he dragged his tongue along the valley between her breasts, savoring the salty taste of her skin.

  “Uh-huh”

  He nudged the terrycloth opening wider, revealing her pert breasts. Her nipples, all tight and rosy in color, waited for his tongue and teeth. He wouldn’t disappoint her.

  “That’s good.” Dipping his head, he caught one delicious bud with his lips, sucking and licking and teasing the rigid point.

  She wove her fingers through his hair, holding him in place. Reaching up, he cupped her other breast, rolling and plucking the tip with his forefinger and thumb. The other hand, he slipped beneath her robe, grasping her ass and pulling her more firmly onto his rigid shaft. The damn towel between them would have to go.

  She toyed with the fine hairs on his nape. “Know what’s even better?”

  “What’s that, darlin’?”

  “I’m on call for the next week.”

  Chapter Five

  Brigit towel-dried her hair while she tossed a few toiletries into a travel case. After adding a handful of makeup items, she zipped the bag shut and carried it into her bedroom. She set it on the bed, the dark case stark on the bright-turquoise mums printed on her crisp white bedspread.

  She added clothing to a small suitcase—not that she’d worn much over the last week. Carter gave her one of his shirts to wear, but most of the time, he preferred her nude. She paused, staring at the items. What am I doing? I just met Carter. A one-night stand is one thing, but here I am going back again.

  Maybe she shouldn’t. What did she really know about the guy—other than he acquired items for people and that he’d be going back to Tampa as soon as he retrieved whatever the latest item was for whoever his client was. The only thing she didn’t doubt was the connection between her and Carter. The air between them sparked whenever they were in the same room. And the sex? The best she’d ever had—not that she had a huge amount of experience. But whenever he touched her, wherever he touched her, he made her body sing.

  She pulled out her phone from her back pocket to check her horoscope again. Why not? It’d been on target this far.

  Bzzzzzzzz Bzzzzzzzz.

  Someone had sent her a text. Talk about timing. She swiped the screen.

  Kat: Answer your door.

  Brigit frowned at the screen. Her older sister had the strangest sense of humor.

  Knock, knock, knock.

  “And that would be Kat.” She headed to the front door, opening it to her sister’s smiling face.

  “Hey! Sorry to drop in like this but—” Kat’s blue eyes widened, and she took a step back. “Whoa.”

  “What?”

  “You.”

  Brigit lifted her chin. “What about me?”

  “You look amazing.” She gave her a huge smile. “You gonna invite me in?”

  Brigit moved to the side. “Sure.” She shut the door behind her sister then led the way to the kitchen. “I made some iced tea. You want?”

  “Absolutely.” Kat took a seat in the breakfast nook, setting her purse and phone on the glass-top table, while Brigit got glasses from the cabinet for the tea. “It’s so hot out. And I’ve been so busy—”

  “With Dante.”

  “Yes, with Dante.” Her sister’s whole face lit up. She glowed. And just his name did that to her. She’d seen the two of them together, so into one another. Like the world finally made sense to them.

  Brigit added ice to the glasses. Does my face look like hers when I’m around Carter? She poured the tea. What am I thinking? He’s not staying in Cedar Valley. When his job is finished, he’s heading back to Tampa. It doesn’t matter what my face looks like. She joined her sister at the table and set a tea in front of her. “You two seem perfect together.”

  “I think so.” As Kat’s cheeks pinkened, she picked up the glass and sipped. “I wanted to ask you…well, Jessica and I wanted to ask you to lunch sometime soon.”

  Brigit smiled. From what her brother had shared, he’d literally run into his high school best friend outside a café and fallen in love with her all over again. “I’m so glad they found each other.”

  Kat wrinkled her nose. “So much better than that Melanie chick he was engaged to.”

  “Yep. Never liked her.”

  “And now Jessica is home again. Permanently. She’s even started her P.I. business again.”

  Brigit nodded. After living in an FBI safe house for six months while waiting to testify in a trial, her business in Tampa had died. Not to mention that the woman herself had almost died, too. But Aiden had saved her, and now the two were inseparable. It was good she’d picked up the pieces and started over. “I would think Sacramento would keep her plenty busy with clients.” She took a drink of tea. “Lunch sounds good.

  They sat in silence for a few moments, sipping tea, the morning sunlight streaming in the picture window, warming them. She glanced outside. The cooler nights had changed the leaves from bright green to golds, reds, and shades of orange. Winter would be here in a blink. Seems everything changes.

  “I miss Mom and Dad.”

  Kat nodded. “Me, too. I think they would’ve been happy Aiden found Jessica.”

  “And I think they’d like Dante, too.”

  Tears glistened in her sister’s eyes, and she reached over, giving Brigit’s forearm a squeeze. “I’d like to think so.”

  Kat stared at her for a moment. She knew her sister thought the same thing she did—their parents’ death didn’t add up. When Brigit turned eighteen, she spent the year trying to complete the investigation the police wouldn’t. Not that she’d found much. Only that now more than ever she believed her parents’ death wasn’t some random accident. When she’d discussed it with Kat, her sister had agreed. She didn’t discuss it with Aiden. She could tell, with him being the oldest, he felt responsible somehow. And she certainly hadn’t said anything to her grandparents. They’d been so wonderful and caring to take the three of them into their home and raise them. Granddad had even encouraged her to get her helicopter license, told her she’d have a job at the station when she was done. No way could she tell him she thought his son’s death wasn’t an accident.

  So, she’d shared her thoughts and findings with Kat, who’d used the skills they’d honed together to become the most sought-after independent fire investigator in the state—and occasionally out of it. And the two of them had speculated the hows and whys until they’d run to the very ends of logic and reason.

  But she wouldn’t bring any of that up with her now. Today was about love—family and new romances. She drank more tea.

  “So, Brij, what have you been up to?”

  She almost choked. Forced herself to swallow. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been by the station. Even Granddad said he hasn’t seen you.”

  “I’m on call this week.” She got up, retrieved th
e pitcher of tea, and refilled their glasses.

  “Sure, but even then you’re around the station. Out at your helicopter.” She paused while Brigit sat down. “Where have you…?”

  Brigit’s breath caught. Oh crap.

  Cobalt eyes narrowing, Kat tilted her head just like when they were kids and her older sister was unraveling a fib. “What’s his name?”

  Fear shot straight to her toes. “Whose name?”

  “Don’t act innocent, missy. You fess up. Who’s the guy you’ve been seeing for the last….” Her eyes widened. Her mouth hung open, her lips forming an O. “Oh, my God! Five days?”

  She got up, picked up the pitcher, and took it to the refrigerator. “I don’t know what you’re—”

  “Wait right there.” Her sister marched to her, a finger pointed at her like she brandished a dangerous weapon. “Do you want me to call Aiden? Tell him his baby sister has been shacking up with some guy?”

  Brigit lifted her chin. “You wouldn’t.”

  Kat lunged toward the table, getting there first. She waved her phone in front of Brigit’s face like a shield, her finger poised to hit the speed dial for Aiden. “Try me.”

  Crap. She slumped. “Okay, yes.”

  “It is a guy,” she crowed. She set her phone on the table then waved her hands. “Sit.”

  She sank into a chair, setting her elbows on the table then rubbing her hands over her face. She so wasn’t ready to share.

  “Soooo, what’s his name?” Her cheery, singsong tone grated mercilessly.

  Sisters. Can’t disown ’em. Gotta love ’em. “If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  Right. She lifted her head and held out her hand. “Pinky swear.”

  Kat eyed Brigit’s extended pinky. “Seriously?”

  She let the sisterly, best-friends, unbreakable-bond pinky hang in the air.

  “A little juvenile, even for you. Don’t you think?”

  Brigit didn’t move, just stared her sister down.

  Kat huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She reached over and hooked her pinky around Brigit’s. “Swear.”

  When they released, she gave her sister a hard look. “I mean it, Kat. No one. I’m not ready.”

  Just like when they were kids, she mimed zipping her lips. “Spill.”

  Brigit sighed. “His name is Carter.”

  Her heart tripped and her thighs tingled just speaking the name of the man with whom she’d spent the last five days. Oh yeah, you got it bad, girl.

  “Carter.”

  “Yes.” And this was why she hadn’t brought him to her house. Why she’d agreed to drop him off in town to check on his motorcycle while she got some of her things and met him at his cabin.

  “How did you meet?”

  “While I was emptying a Bambi on the ridge fire.”

  “Oh, I remember that. But you were flying. How did you—”

  A chirpy bebop ringtone erupted in between them. Kat snatched up her phone, peered at the screen, and her face softened, heat dancing in her eyes. “Dante.”

  “Answer it.” That’s right, Brij. Distract, deflect, divert…whatever.

  Kat tapped the screen. “Hey.”

  Good gosh! She’d never heard her sister use such a breathy voice. Not with any of the guys she dated. Never once…for anyone…like ever.

  A light pink infused her sister’s cheeks. “Okay. Give me five minutes. Bye.”

  Brigit stared. Who is this woman using a baby-doll voice, and what has she done with my sister?

  She tapped the screen again and rose. “I need to meet Dante.”

  Brigit nodded. “I gathered.” Hammer, meet Nail-head.

  “I do want to hear all about….”

  “Carter.”

  “Right. Carter.” She picked up her purse. “We’ll have lunch.”

  “But not with Jessica. I’m not ready. Don’t know if I will be any time soon, either.”

  “Of course.” She headed toward the front door. “Just you and me, then.”

  “Sounds good. And you did pinky swear, so….”

  Kat smiled. “No worries. Your secret is safe.”

  “Tell Dante I said hi.” Brigit opened the door for her. “Or don’t.”

  She laughed. “Thanks for the tea. I’ll call you.”

  Her sister pressed her fob to unlock her car then spun toward her, a huge grin on her face. “He looks good on you, Brij.” She took a step backward. “Your Carter.”

  She waved her off. “Get in your car, Kat.”

  She laughed, got in her car, and backed down the driveway. Brigit closed the door. My Carter.

  Forget it. He’s not yours. He told you right up front he’s headed back to Tampa as soon as he’s done here.

  A deep rumbling thrumming came from outside. Turning, she opened the door again. In the driveway, Carter sat on his Harley. Sexier than sin. And there were so many sinful things she wanted to do with his naked body.

  He shut off the engine. His heather-gray T-shirt outlined his pecs and biceps as he reached up to remove his helmet. He grinned, and her nipples peaked, a slow winding in her tummy heating her blood.

  He might be leaving. Eventually. But, for now, he’s my Carter.

  He held out an extra helmet in offering. “Wanna go for a ride?”

  Chapter Six

  Two weeks later….

  “See anything?”

  Cater stared out the side window of the Bell helicopter, scanning the ground. “Nothing yet.”

  The last two weeks had been amazing. He’d taken her for long rides on his Harley, enjoying how she wrapped her arms around his waist and held tight. And when she returned to her regular shifts at the fire station, she’d taken him flying with her. Thankfully, there’d been no more fires, but with the cooler weather, people had taken to the outdoors. And with that, hikers had gotten lost. This time, he’d volunteered to be her spotter while they flew over a family’s campsite, the last place they’d seen their child.

  “Widening the search.” She angled the helicopter into a wider circle. “We’ll find him.”

  The confidence in her voice inspired him. He believed her. Peering out the window again, he scanned the ground. The parents reported their kid had been wearing a red shirt. If it had been summer, the bright color would’ve been easy to spot. But the fall leaves increased the difficulty to near impossible.

  A break in the trees revealed a wide stream.

  “There.” He pointed. “Kids are always drawn to water. Follow the stream.”

  She lowered them closer to the treetops and dropped the speed so they could thoroughly scan the ground. They flew less than a quarter mile downstream when he spotted the telltale red against the rocky bank.

  “I see him!”

  Less than fifty yards away, Brigit set down in an open area near the water then started whatever checklist she needed to complete before she could leave the pilot seat. Carter leapt from the helicopter and ran toward the kid. His heart squeezed as he approached the eight-year-old who lay face down on the ground. With care, he turned the small, wet body over and checked his vitals. He wasn’t breathing. Carter started CPR to help the kid expel the water in his lungs.

  A few seconds later, the little boy convulsed and water spewed from his mouth. Carter turned him on his side to help him get rid of the rest. The moment Brigit reached his side, kneeling next to him and opening the med kit she’d brought, he gave her room, letting her do her job.

  Eight hours later, he lay next to her lush naked body, skimming his fingertips along her thigh and hip. Today had been a good day—no, an amazing day. Watching her work impressed him beyond belief. She’d stabilized the boy, gotten him out of there, and then radioed the search-and-rescue team to let them know she’d found him. Afterward, when they’d gathered at The Gold Rush for drinks to celebrate saving a life, Brigit had given him most of the credit for the win. She shouldn’t have.

  “What’d
he do?” One of the firefighters glared at him, beer in hand—clearly not his first, from the slurred words.

  “Carter found the boy.” She raised her glass, as did most of the others there, and took a deep swallow.

  “Any idiot could’ve done that,” the guy groused.

  An older man elbowed him. “Easy there, Randall.”

  “What?” He shifted his gaze to Brigit, betrayal burning bright in his eyes. “I was s’posed t’ fly with her. T’ be her spotter. Not that asshole.” He rounded toward Carter. “No ’fense.”

  Yeah, offense had been taken. But Carter had locked his jaw. Anyone watching could tell Randall had a thing for his Brigit.

  When Carter finished his beer, she’d cozied up to him. “Ready to go?”

  He’d followed her outside, set her on the back of his bike, and taken her to his cabin. He’d barely shut the door before she’d been in his arms, rubbing her sweet body against his, driving him mad.

  My Brigit. Something about Brigit MacKay had him thinking thoughts he most certainly should not be thinking. He coasted his palm over her shoulder, cupped her ample breast in his hand, enjoyed how her nipple tightened as he rubbed his thumb over the tip. His shaft hardened, pressing against her firm, round ass.

  It’s the sex.

  Yes, the sex was amazing. And he had no doubt, if he slipped his hands between her thighs, he’d find her hot and wet for him. But something else called to him. Something he couldn’t name drew him unlike any other woman he’d known—and that scared the shit out of him.

  She rolled toward him, slid her hand around the back of his neck, and drew him down for a kiss. “Ready to go again?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He grabbed a condom, sheathed himself, and settled between her thighs. Dipping his head, he took a nipple between his lips and sucked hard. She gasped, her fingers lacing into his hair, holding him in place even as her hips lifted in a silent plea to fill her. A plea he would gladly grant. But he took his time, laving each breast, trailing kisses along her collarbones while he rolled the tight bud between his thumb and index finger. Pinching. Tugging. Plucking. Her moans music in the air.